The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-23
AFFAIRS OF THE RAILWAYS.

A General Freight Agent in Close Quarters.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 22-Howard Page. who is
connected with the management Of the Standard
Oh Company, of kentucky. was examined in
connection with the Standard Oil cases. before
She Interstate-comncerceC Commission, this morn
ing. He was complainants witness He
stated that no drawbacks rebates of any kind
were allowed the Standard Oil Company by the
railroads south of the Ohio, and that the rates
paid the pu biished rates given to every BODY
The shipments were made in tank-cars in bar
rels and IN The railroads did and could
well afford TO, carry oil in tankcars cheaper
than By any other method. When oil was
shipped in tank-cars, the car was che unit
upon which rates were given; for example,
the rate for hauling tank car from Louis
vile to Memphis was $25. The average capacity
of the tank cars of the Standard Oil Company Of
Kentucky was 4,057 gallons, equal to seventy
eight barrels of ffry-two gallons each. The
Kentucky Standard Oil Company purchased oil
of the Standard Oil Company of Ohio, of the
Camden Consolidated Company of Parkersburg'
w. Va, and of the Baltimore United Oil Com
pany, and sold oil in all parts of the territory
south of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi
The witnesses company had its own establish
ments. comprising tanks. pipes, etc., at various
central points in the South
l.. III. Severance, treasurer of the Standard
Oil Company of Ohio, was sworn, and produced
certain information, copies from the records OF
the company respecting the capacities of tie
tank cars of his company.
j. NJ. Culp, general freight agent of the Louis
Vile & Nashville Railroad Company, was exam
ined at great length about the operations and
rates of his company. During the progress Of
Commissioner Walker. that his company was
governed by the published classifcatons of the
Southern Railway and Steamship Company. He
also said that for the transportation of oil, ex-
cept for period of few weeks subsequent
April 8, it had always charged car rates upon
oil in tanks.
alton on the pamphlet publication of the asso-
citation that oil in tank cars shall be charged at
SO much per hundred pounds. The witness ad-
mitted that his company did not, in that re-
spect comply with the published classification.
The chairman questioned the witness 90
how he claimed conn liance with the law which
requires the publication of rates. The witness
said the special car rates were-or ought to be-
posted in the stations of the company, printed
by typewriter. This. he held TO be sufficient
notice TO the public. There was nothing, far
witness knew, to prevent the making of
cheaper rate than that published, whenever a
shipper called for a rate simply by having the
new rate printed on a type writer and posted in
the station.
In reply to counsel for the complainant the
Louisville to Huntsville, Ala. since April 5,
was 299 cents per one hundred pounds. No
other rate had been given to any body.
The counsel produced letter, the signature
of which witness recognized as that of a clerk in
his Office, which letter was to Mr.. George Rice
1.-THE complainant) giving the rate from Louis
willie to Huntsville at 81 cents 100 pounds.
The witness explained this on the theory that
the letter probably written by a steEogra-
pher who had made an error Counsel there
upon produced a letter bearing the witnesses
own signature addressed to complainant, STAT
ing that the rates given to claimant were as low
those given to anyone, and the company
would give other.
The witness said that was written under the
impression that the ra:es originally given Mr.
Rice were correct.
Counsel asked how that could be- since the
second letter was written in reply to from
complainant quoting the thirty-seven cent.
rate, and asking if no better terms could be
given. and if other shippers were not given
more favorable rates.
The witness replied as before, adding that he
did not at the time know the rates, and not
dou biting that they had been given correctly, he
did not examine them. The witness on cross
examination by the railroad counsel. explained
the principles which govern the making of oil
rates. aud gave testimony tending to Justify the
Discrimination between barrel and tank rates.
The witness had not concluded his testimony
when the m at ID